The Aquatic Ecosystems Research Group has expertise in ecosystem services, bioassessment of a range of wetland types (including vegetated wetlands, streams, lakes and groundwater dependent ecosystems), and on ecosystem valuation. The group collaborates across the institute on policy and governance issues. The group is looking for motivated candidates with a keen interest in applied aquatic ecology and sustainability science in the global south. Candidates should have a solid background in ecology and ecosystem functioning, and a keen interest or proven track record in wetland management for policy support. Expertise in all or some of nature-based solutions, stakeholder engagement, citizen science, ecosystem modelling, ecosystem services assessments. Application of knowledge of wetlands for policy and capacity development is desirable. A fluent command of English is required. Competency in other international languages is an advantage. It is expected that candidates will have an enthusiasm for teaching in a multicultural environment, developing MSc teaching, and in training for professionals in the application of ecology to support capacity in developing countries and those in transition.

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain a research line in support of IHE policies in support of the UN sustainability agenda 2030;
• Develop and deliver teaching to support the Environmental profile in IHE MSc programmes, and on-line teaching;
• Acquisition of research and capacity development projects;
• Co-supervise research of MSc and PhD students studying topics related to sustainable wetland management;
• Develop field programmes.

• PhD degree with at least two years additional relevant experience;
• Teaching experience at undergraduate and/or post-graduate level;
• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary and multicultural teaching.

The working language at IHE Delft is English, but all employment contracts are and employment terms are according to the Dutch labor laws, and IHE Delft follows the collective labor agreement of the Dutch Universities.

The candidate will be stationed in Delft, the Netherlands. The position is in accordance with scale 10 of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 

The employment contract is for 1.0 full-time equivalent (fte) or 38 hours per week. A competitive salary is offered depending on qualifications and experience in accordance with the conditions of employment for Dutch Universities.

The appointment includes entry into the Netherlands' Civil Service Pension Fund (ABP). IHE Delft offers an attractive, multiple-choice employee benefits scheme, year-end bonus and generous pension scheme. We also offer 31 days leave based on a 38 hours working week.

IHE Delft Institute for Water Education is a unique education and research institution whose mission is focused on strengthening the capacity of the water sector, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to manage water and environmental resources sustainably and equitably, thereby contributing to a world free of poverty and injustice.

As such, IHE Delft is a unique knowledge institute in both the Dutch and international research and educational landscape. With its exclusively post- graduate education, it is the largest international graduate water education facility in the world. Through research, education and institutional strengthening, IHE Delft strives to contribute to all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where water plays a key role.

IHE Delft achieves its mission through its highly diverse and international staff (with more than 120 of 200 total hailing from outside the Netherlands), its wide network of guest lecturers (with more than 250 guest lecturers from global academia and industry), and with robust international partnerships. Partnerships are integral to achieving this mission, and IHE works closely with universities, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector institutions from low and middle-income countries as well as from Europe and the Netherlands. Each year, 750 international professionals, including about 200 MSc students and numerous PhD students and post-docs, attend courses or enroll in programmes at IHE Delft. The institute provides expertise in aspects of water science including environment and ecosystems, governance and social science, and in engineering, which are organized in six departments, which can be found at https://www.un-ihe.org/

The Water Resources and Ecosystems Department in IHE Delft conducts research and education activities that aim to support society in decisions and policy that sustain freshwater resources and ecosystems by balancing their protection, restoration, use, and development. We conduct research and provide post-graduate education and training to professionals in the fields of hydraulic engineering, hydrology/hydrogeology, aquatic ecosystems, while maintaining inter-disciplinary collaborations with other departments in IHE Delft and with international partners. The department is organised into three research groups:

1. Hydrology and Water Resources,
2. River Basin Development, and
3. Aquatic Ecosystems.